3-078-126 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New military armament and equipment, Royal Military Exhibition at Chelsea, 1890. 'Past (1st Batallion Ry. Highlanders) 1882; Present, 1889; Future, (in Contemplation); Cartridge (actual size); The New Army Rifle *(Magazine fixed); Shell; The New Rifled 12-pounder Steel Field-Gun...contributions of the War Office, including specimens of modern field artillery from Woolwich Arsenal, among which is this improved twelve-pounder, on its carriage, with all its appurtenances complete. The barrel, 8 ft. long, is finely shaped, and the gun has a range of 5400 yards, while the rifling is such as to obtain the greatest precision yet reached with field-guns...The breech-loading apparatus is of the most expeditious and effective kind...the special merits of this gun are several new contrivances for preventing its recoil when fired. One is the "hydraulic buffer," placed beneath the breech of the gun, an apparatus that is said to prove remarkably effective. The wheels of the carriage also are furnished with brakes, easily set in action, to check its running back from the recoil of the gun. Every part is of Whitworth steel...It is believed to be superior to any in the possession of foreign Armies'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.